Benchmarking Vietnam's regions: A standardized indicator-based comparison of ecological sustainability

Ecological sustainability is a pressing challenge, yet its evaluation remains hindered by fragmented indicators, low regional comparability, and limited attention to long-run progress. Addressing these shortcomings requires standardized frameworks that can capture both spatial variation and temporal change. For the purposes of correcting these deficits, this paper develops a standardized indicator-based approach suited to Vietnam, an emerging economy country that is suffering from critical ecological stresses. Eleven indicators are designed based on the ecological dimensions of the SDGs, analyzed with principal component and cluster analysis to examine regional performance from 2012 to 2022. The results reveal ongoing disparities and uneven progress, emphasizing the complexity of sustainability transitions in rapidly growing areas. Beyond Vietnam, the proposed framework illustrates how spatial–temporal benchmarking can bridge global sustainability agendas with local policy needs. By strengthening consistency and comparability, it provides applicable tools that can inform more balanced and context-sensitive sustainability strategies. • A standardized spatial-temporal framework is developed to benchmark ecological sustainability. • Significant disparities exist, with urbanization-driven regions lagging behind in key ecological indicators. • Marine Protected Areas and waste management are identified as critical policy gaps, despite Vietnam's rich marine biodiversity. • The framework offers a replicable tool for policymakers inform targeted regional strategies.